Lioness 0 #1 May 1, 2003 Hi everyone! This is my first post. I have done 6 tandem jumps so far (first jump in 1999). I will be taking my AFF course within a few months. I'm from Northern California and all my jumps have been made at the Parachute Center in Acampo (Lodi). I love it there and love all the people! I'm anxious to learn as much as I can about all aspects of skydiving. But am particularly interested in taking up Skydancing. Anyone got any pointers for me? Also, how is Byron, CA drop zone reputation? ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThighMan 5 #2 May 1, 2003 Welcome to the Family. Have fun and stay safe. Enjoy "Pulling" your own from now on.Airborne Blue Skies, No Wind Feet and Knees Together Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 37 #3 May 1, 2003 Welcome to the forums! There are a few jumpers here who frequent Byron, and I believe they are quite happy with it. Also, if you want to meet a bunch of us, we'll be at The American Boogie the last weekend in June at Skydance in Davis, CA. Hope you come out! She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #4 May 1, 2003 Thank you both for your reply, and all the wonderful information. I have been reading these posts for a lil while now, and have gained a lot of information about this new passion of mine. This is the best skydive site I have found yet! I will most definately try and make it out to Davis. Would love to gain some more friends in this sport. As all my friends that don't jump think I'm crazy! Although they all thought I was pretty crazy before I ever jumped from a plane. Very excited to "pull" my own!! Looking very forward to getting to know you all. Thank you again! ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ccowden 0 #5 May 1, 2003 Hello! Consider us 3 new friends then- Chris, Tommy and Fritz. Glad to meet you and maybe we can junp someday soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #6 May 1, 2003 Welcome to the forums! I learned to skydive at Lodi, and spent a few weekends in Davis. Good people all around. Byron has a pretty cool vibe, as well. Have fun!-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #7 May 1, 2003 Thanks Chris, Tommy & Fritz! I hope we are all able to meet in the blue sky one day soon! ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #8 May 1, 2003 Hi Tom, How long ago did you learn at the Parachute center? What drop zone would you say has been your favorite?______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #9 May 1, 2003 Quote Would love to gain some more friends in this sport. There shouldn't be problem there. Not only will you make friends at your home DZs, but you'll also make friends here. And it's even better when you go to a boogies and meet you DZ.COM friends in person and get to jump and party with them. Quote As all my friends that don't jump think I'm crazy! Although they all thought I was pretty crazy before I ever jumped from a plane. Well I think we're all a little crazy. But I like to tell whuffos that skydiving isn't as dangerous as they think it is. Of course it's likely more dangerous than I think it is. We need to remember to be safe out there as losing friends to this sport suck. Quote Very excited to "pull" my own!! It only gets better as we all experience new things on virtually every jump and the learning just never stops. Good luck with your training and let us know how it goes. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #10 May 2, 2003 QuoteHi Tom, How long ago did you learn at the Parachute center? About four years ago. I did my Tandem in February (a little over four years ago), and finished my static line class four years ago this weekend. Then I spent the summer skydiving a lot (made around 350 jumps) at Lodi. I haven't really been back much--heck, I don't really jump out of planes anywhere, very much anymore. QuoteWhat drop zone would you say has been your favorite? Probably Davis. They all have their good and bad points. Lodi, for example, is very cheap (great if you're on a budget and want cheap training--when I took the s/l class there it was only $500), but the "you must jump all the time" pressure from Bill and the cliquey freeflier attitudes there were definitely things I could do without. Davis is a bit more expensive (but worth it if you're taking AFF anyway, since the instruction is better), and it's harder to bang out massive jump numbers, but the attitude is a lot more relaxed, and you won't get thrown off the dropzone if you just want to chill on the couch instead of getting on the next load. I always like the feel of the Byron crowd, but I never quite made it down there to jump with them. I have run into a few of them in the middle of the night, at undisclosed locations, though. Nice, fun, people. I'd say you ought to go and sample them all. There's good times to be had everywhere.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #11 May 2, 2003 Thank you so much for all your honest opinions/information. I have continued to go to Lodi basically for, like you said, the price. Well that and there are a couple people in particular that I have really clicked with there. I would have taken the AFF course a long time ago if I could afford it. The static line course is still $500 too! hehe. Not much changes I guess. I will take your advice, and plan to visit as many DZ's as possible. Thank you again! -Blue Skies- ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sarge 0 #12 May 2, 2003 Hi, how are ya? welcome!!-- I'm done with the personally meaningful and philosophical sigs!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #13 May 5, 2003 Hi Sarge. I'm doing great! Thanks for the welcome! -T______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #14 May 5, 2003 Quote "Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you long to return..." I like your siggy. I was just there yesterday, yet this morning from my office I long to return to where I was less than 24 hours ago. Of course I must be grateful that I even had to opportunity to be in the air. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #15 May 5, 2003 Thank you, and yes be grateful... unfortunately with not being able to do my AFF until after I move (about 1 month from now), I won't be able to get any jumps in. It sucks... but every morning when I wake, the first thing I do is open my blinds, stare at the sky above, and think... "Good jump day" (depending on the day of course). So until this darn move is done... All I can do is dream. ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #16 May 5, 2003 Quote So until this darn move is done... All I can do is dream. Local move or are you leaving the state? And at least your dream exists and should be stronger and more compelling than many of the dreams our whuffo family, friends and colleagues have. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lioness 0 #17 May 5, 2003 I'm just moving from Oakley, CA to Antioch, CA. Not far from each other. Gotta downsize as my current house is just way to big to keep up by myself. It's all good cuz after the move I will have more money for jumps!! yay! Very very true about the whuffo's.... -T ______________________________________ Be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #18 May 5, 2003 Quote Gotta downsize as my current house is just way to big to keep up by myself Be careful! Remember, high-house-loadings can kill! hehehe--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulreasbeck 0 #19 May 7, 2003 Good luck on finishing your course soon and with your move. Welcome here from another newbie to this sight. If you are ever near Perris Valley California I can tell you it is one hell of a dropzone with tons of experience. I think there is a big shindig there for memorial day weekend. Maybe you could do your course there. I did part of my course there and the teachers were tops. I have loved every dropzone I have been to for different reasons but you cannot beat 2 otters and a skyvan for getting loads up and fast. Have fun with whatever you do. And never stop dreaming. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ralu 0 #20 May 8, 2003 Hi and welcome!!! ralu what would be a woman without her dreams.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
